BERLIN (dpa-AFX) – Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD) sees the corona pandemic in Germany as over. If you look at the status of the virus variants, vaccinations and the clinical cases that are still occurring, you can say that the pandemic in Germany has come to an end, Lauterbach said on Wednesday in Berlin. “That is the case,” said the minister. “We have successfully mastered the pandemic in Germany and also with a good balance sheet.”
He can understand that there is an interest in asking what went wrong. But the overall coping strategy worked. “And it only worked because the reasonable and helpful people in Germany mastered the challenges.” However, there are some things that one would do differently in hindsight, says Lauterbach. “I believe that the long school closures were not necessary.” The lockdown steps against the spread of the virus included the nationwide closure of schools and daycare centers.
The Federal Government’s Corona Expert Council met for the last time in the Chancellery on Tuesday. At Easter, the state protection requirements in the fight against the pandemic will end. This Friday (April 7th), after several relaxation steps, the last nationwide mask requirements in the healthcare sector will also expire.
It is still unclear how the financing of vaccinations will continue after the previous Corona vaccination ordinance has expired at the same time. The background is that the corona vaccinations are to be included in regular care. Lauterbach was disappointed that the self-administration of health insurance companies and doctors had not initially agreed on the future price for reimbursement. That’s why he invited those involved to an interview with him. He wants to prevent a vaccination gap./bw/sam/DP/mis